Generally speaking, most employers will keep your personal records for a long time after you have moved on to another job. This information can include medical and health insurance records, pension and 401(k) plans, and even your bank account numbers if you use direct deposit. A partner at one law firm says that usually companies must follow federal regulations relating to this matter. Take Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which doesn't allow employee discrimination; it says that a company has to keep employment application records up to two years once a worker leaves. He also says that companies tend to maintain personnel and employee benefit files from one to five years and payroll information as long as three years.

There are no specific rules for employers to follow concerning keeping or removing an employee's personal records. Some states require companies to inform any employees of a violation of their employee' records, but no such federal law exists to deal with this situation. I know the thought of what will happen to your personal records after leaving a job must worry some people; especially those looking for an entry level job. It is recommended that employees ask their human resources department these questions before starting a new job:

• How long are you going to keep the records?
• Who will have access to those records?
• How will these records be deleted, both electronic files and hard copies?

Remember, your personal information is your business.

Source: The Morning News